Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

The reopening of Srinagar’s historic Sheetalnath Temple marks more than the restoration of an ancient place of worship. It offers Kashmiri Pandit families an opportunity to reconnect with their ancestral heritage and revive their association with a landmark shaped by the Valley’s religious and cultural history. The restoration included structural repairs and reconstruction of important sections of the temple complex, particularly the sanctum sanctorum and the havanshala, where sacred fire rituals are performed. These improvements have made it possible for devotees to return for prayers and religious ceremonies. An earlier attempt to organize prayers during Basant Panchami in 2021 was…

Poland sees India as a global economic leader and wants to build stronger and more stable trade relations with New Delhi, Polish Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domanski has said. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, Domanski highlighted India’s economic growth and democratic system while outlining Warsaw’s approach to expanding commercial engagement with India. “We see India as a global leader,” Domanski said, describing India as one of the world’s largest economies and a country experiencing high GDP growth. He also emphasised the importance Poland places on its economic relationship with democratic partners. The Polish minister…

India and Qatar have agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Free Trade Agreement as the two countries seek to deepen trade and investment ties. The discussions also covered the implementation of Qatar’s $10 billion investment commitment to India and plans for the Qatar Investment Authority to establish an office in the country. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held discussions with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Annual Meeting in Doha. According to the Ministry of Finance, both sides expressed interest in completing…

India’s Ayush services sector contributed an estimated $36.92 billion to the economy in FY25 and could expand to between $216 billion and $318 billion by 2047, according to a study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries. The findings highlight the growing economic role of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems across healthcare, wellness, employment and Medical Value Travel. The sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate of 16.91 per cent since FY23 and currently supports around 1.76 million livelihoods. The sector also generated an estimated $1.77 billion in Medical Value Travel revenue, underlining the growing role of…

India’s export engine is gaining momentum, with combined merchandise and services exports reaching around $399 billion during April-August 2026, according to a new report that points to broader participation in global trade and stronger prospects for achieving the country’s $1 trillion export ambition. Merchandise exports rose 17.8 per cent to $216 billion during the five-month period, while services exports increased 13 per cent to $183 billion. The report said the performance reflects the strength of two complementary drivers supporting India’s export expansion. Non-petroleum exports provided a significant part of the momentum, reaching $181 billion, an increase of 14 per cent.…

The creative economy is emerging as a new area of cross-border investment and economic cooperation among BRICS+ countries, with creative industries increasingly contributing to employment, exports, innovation and urban development, according to a new TV BRICS study. The global creative industries market was valued at around $2.9 trillion in 2024 and could exceed $4.3 trillion by 2033, representing average annual growth of 4.3 per cent, according to the study. The sector accounts for approximately 3.1 per cent of global gross domestic product, three per cent of international trade and more than six per cent of employment. The study divides…

The United States has finalised a major increase in fees for its EB-5 immigrant-investor programme, with the cost of several key petitions more than doubling. The revised charges are set to take effect from November 30 and are expected to increase the financial burden on Indian investors pursuing US permanent residence through the programme. Under the new fee structure announced by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the filing fee for Form I-526, used by standalone EB-5 investors, will rise from $3,675 to $7,615. The fee for Form I-526E, used by investors participating through an approved regional centre, will increase from…

India and Jordan are looking to broaden their economic partnership, with both countries identifying new opportunities in trade, investment and strategic sectors. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Zeid Toukan, on September 28 on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar. The discussions centered on strengthening economic cooperation and expanding commercial engagement between the two countries. Food security, fertilizers, trade and investment were among the key areas considered by the ministers as India and Jordan explore ways to increase the scope of their bilateral…

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor celebrated his 44th birthday with members of the paparazzi who gathered to mark the occasion. The actor was photographed during the celebration, with pictures and videos from the gathering appearing online. Kapoor opted for a casual look featuring a grey shirt, matching trousers and Wayfarer-style sunglasses. He cut a birthday cake marked with the number 44 and posed for photographs with the photographers. He also cut two additional cakes before thanking the paparazzi with folded hands. The actor is currently preparing for Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. Kapoor plays Lord Rama in the ambitious…

Indian weddings are known for their vibrant celebrations, traditional rituals, colorful ceremonies, and energetic music. While DJs and recorded playlists remain popular, a live band can bring an added sense of excitement, interaction, and personality to different parts of the wedding. From the baraat and sangeet to the reception and vidaai, live musicians can adapt their performances to match the mood of each occasion. Here are five unique ways to include a live band in an Indian wedding. The baraat is one of the most energetic moments of an Indian wedding, making it an ideal occasion for a live band.…